News and Update

Times of India
08 July 2010
By Archana Mishra
Kanpur, India

The residents of the city are now becoming prone to oral cancer at a much younger age. Out of 25 per cent of oral cancer patients in the city, 10 to 15 per cent are youngsters. The data indicates the increasing tobacco consumption among the youths, both males and females.

With a view to ascertain the reason behind this trend, JK Cancer Institute, an associate hospital of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, along with an NGO, conducted a survey among the students of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and various other colleges of the city.

The survey revealed that a considerable percentage of those in the age group of 20–30 years are falling prey to oral cancers, besides the chances of having lung cancer due to smoking.

Surprisingly, young girls share three to four per cent out of the total, as they have also taken to chewing gutkha, pan masala and other items. "Tobacco consumption among the females is on rise, irrespective of age and status," said Dr A K Dixit, head of department, JK Cancer Institute.

‘‘Chewing of gutkha and pan masala is not only prevalent in females belonging to labour class but has now become a trend in social gatherings, where both males and females don’t hesitate in consuming pan masala and gutkha," he said.The survey indicated that apparently a majority of housewives have started consuming gutkha as their husbands are also addicted to it. ‘‘It is a misconception that pan masala and gutkha help in keeping mouth wet for long hours. Rather chewing of tobacco is a psychological illness which can be cured only through regular counselling sessions,’’ said Dr Dixit.

Pan masala is consumed as mouth freshener and gutkha as a cheap substitute for betel leaves. However, its regular intake gradually affects the inner lining of the oral cavity, which in turn leads to the formation of malignant cells. White and reddish–brown patches are formed in the oral cavity, which are an indication of the pre–cancerous stage.

In 10 per cent of the cases, these patches affect the muscular tissues beneath epithelial lining. The elasticity is decreased, which in turn affects the opening of mouth. "This is referred to as sub mucus fibrosis stage after which the normal cells starts converting into abnormal cancerous cells. The development of the oral cancer takes around 10–15 years, which can be only cured if detected in pre–cancerous stage," said Dr Dixit.

Catechu is a common ingredient used in betel nut. Since it is expensive, the manufacturers use gambier as its substitute, which is prepared from parts of a shrub, uncaria gambier. The regular consumption of pan masala that contains gambier increases the risk of oral cancer.